Complete Guide to Orkney's Craft Trail: Studios, Galleries, and Workshops

Beyond its ancient monuments and dramatic landscapes, Orkney pulses with a vibrant creative energy. For decades, the Orkney Craft Trail has guided visitors to the studios, workshops, and galleries where skilled artisans transform local materials and island inspiration into unique works of art. From intricate jewellery and hand-woven tapestries to traditional straw-backed chairs and contemporary ceramics, the trail offers an intimate journey into the heart of Orkney's thriving craft scene. This guide provides everything you need to navigate the trail and connect with the makers.

Understanding the Orkney Craft Trail

Established in the 1990s by the Orkney Crafts Association, the trail currently features over 25 professional members across six islands. It's more than just a map; it's a curated experience designed to showcase the quality, diversity, and heritage of Orcadian craftsmanship. Many studios are located in beautifully repurposed buildings – old schools, churches, or farm steadings – adding historical context to the creative process. Following the distinctive red-and-white Craft Trail signs leads you off the beaten path to discover hidden gems and meet the artists directly.

Key Craft Disciplines & Leading Artisans

The trail encompasses a wide array of disciplines, often drawing inspiration from Orkney's unique environment and history.

Jewellery

Orkney is renowned for its jewellery designers, who often incorporate Norse motifs, seascapes, and archaeological finds into their work.

• Sheila Fleet Jewellery (Tankerness & Kirkwall): Internationally acclaimed designer Sheila Fleet OBE creates stunning collections in silver, gold, and enamel. Visit the main workshop and visitor centre in a converted church in Tankerness (includes The Kirk Gallery & Café) or the gallery in Kirkwall.
• Ortak (Kirkwall): A revived Orkney institution known for its traditional silverwork and colourful enamel pieces, often featuring Celtic and Pictish designs. Watch engravers at work in their Bridge Street studio.
• Celina Rupp Jewellery (Holm): Celina draws inspiration from Orkney's coastline and wildlife, creating elegant silver pieces. Her studio near St Mary's Village includes a café with views over Scapa Flow.

Pottery & Ceramics

Orkney's clay and peat have inspired potters for generations.

• Harray Potteries (West Mainland): Andrew Appleby creates functional stoneware and decorative pieces, often using traditional peat-firing techniques for unique finishes. Visitors can see the kilns and browse the gallery.
• Robin Palmer Ceramics (Kirkwall): Known for sculptural pieces and distinctive lighting fixtures, often incorporating textures inspired by Orkney's geology. Workshops are sometimes available.

Textiles & Knitwear

From intricate tapestries to cozy knitwear, Orkney's textile artists draw on rich traditions.

• Hoxa Tapestry Gallery (South Ronaldsay): A family-run gallery showcasing large-scale, hand-woven tapestries depicting Orkney life and landscapes. They use locally sourced wool, often hand-dyed with natural pigments. Demonstrations and workshops available.
• Local Knitwear: Various small producers and shops like The Loft Gallery (St Margaret's Hope) offer hand-knitted items using traditional patterns and local wool.

Furniture & Woodcraft

Orkney's woodworking tradition includes the iconic straw-backed chair.

• Scapa Crafts (Kirkwall): Specialises in making traditional Orkney chairs, known for their distinctive woven straw backs designed to provide warmth and shelter from drafts. They also create items from driftwood.
• Hume Sweet Hume (Westray): Focuses on contemporary furniture and homewares, often using locally sourced or reclaimed wood with minimalist designs.
• Michael Sinclair Woodturner (Harray): Creates beautiful bowls and vessels from Scottish hardwoods, showcasing the natural grain of the wood.

Art Galleries

Beyond individual studios, dedicated galleries showcase a range of local and international art.

• Pier Arts Centre (Stromness): A major cultural hub housed in award-winning modern architecture on Stromness pier. It holds a significant collection of 20th-century British art and hosts changing exhibitions featuring contemporary Orcadian artists. Free entry.
• The Loft Gallery (St Margaret's Hope): An intimate gallery space featuring monthly exhibitions by local artists, located above a knitwear cooperative.
• Toumal Art Studio (Orphir): Ingrid Grieve's working studio and gallery displaying her evocative oil paintings of Orkney's seas and skies.

Planning Your Craft Trail Visit

• Get the Map: Download the official Creative Orkney Trail map from the Orkney.com website or pick one up from visitor centres. It details locations, opening times, and contact information.
• Check Opening Times: Many studios have seasonal hours (typically April-October) and may close for lunch or on certain days. Always call ahead or check websites, especially if travelling to outer isles.
• Consider Workshops: Some artisans offer workshops (e.g., pottery, textiles). Book these well in advance.
• Plan Your Route: Group visits geographically. The Mainland has clusters around Kirkwall, Stromness, and the West Mainland parishes like Harray and Birsay. Allow extra time for ferry travel to studios on South Ronaldsay, Hoy, Westray, or Sanday.

Watch: Orkney's Creative Spirit

Experience the Craft Trail visually with this short film from Orkney.com:

Conclusion: Take Home a Piece of Orkney

Following the Orkney Craft Trail is more than just shopping; it's an opportunity to connect with the islands' creative soul, meet passionate makers, and understand the deep relationship between Orkney's culture and its environment. Whether you purchase a piece of Sheila Fleet jewellery, a traditional Orkney chair, or a hand-thrown pot from Harray Potteries, you take home a tangible piece of island heritage.

Planning your creative pilgrimage? Many Craft Trail studios are located near charming villages and stunning coastlines. Find accommodation on Orkney Stays that puts you close to your favourite artisans and allows you to explore the trail at your own pace.